View full sizeUSC quarterback Matt Barkley went from a sure top-10 pick in last year's NFL Draft to a question mark in the 2013 draft. He spoke to the media Friday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.Michael Conroy, Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- USC quarterback Matt Barkley has no regrets about bypassing the NFL and returning to school last year even though he might have been picked by the Browns with the No. 4 overall pivk.

Now, he might not crack the top 10, according to some experts. "I haven't looked back once," Barkley said. "I definitely I think I'm in a better position now entering this draft than I was last year."

Barkley, who's recovering from a shoulder injury and won't throw at the NFL Combine, is confident he's the best quarterback in this draft, ahead of West Virginia's Geno Smith and the others.

"I believe I am," he said. "I don't think you can go into the draft not thinking you are."

He said he'd love to be taken No. 1 overall by the Chiefs.

"I said I wanted to be the No. 1 quarterback and if that's the No. 1 pick taken then that would be a dream come true," he said. "We'll see where that whole process takes us."

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who coached Barkley in college at USC, predicts he'll be successful at the next level.

"I don't think there's anything that's stopping him from being a starter right away," Carroll said. "Now that quarterbacks can come in and make their way into the league and do it in such quick order, Matt will be able to do it too. He's so well-equipped. He's so mature, he understands what it takes to play that position on this kind of a big stage. He did it when he was 17 or whatever. He won't have any problem doing this. He's as well-prepared as you can get."

Barkley, who plans to throw at his Pro Day on March 27, is a traditional, drop-back passer with adequate arm strength.

"At the same time, I definitely believe I have the quickness, the pocket mobility to avoid [the rush and] get out of the pocket," he said. "I think my throwing on the run is great and I have complete confidence in that."

As for charges he has a weak arm, he said: "I would disagree. Watch the tape. I can make every NFL throw that you need."

George Whitfield Jr. talks about Brandon Weeden, Matt BarkleyQB guru and Northeast Ohio native George Whitfield Jr. talks with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about Brandon Weeden's rookie season and if Weeden is the right fit for the Browns. He also talks about Matt Barkley and other quarterbacks in this year's draft.

Harbaugh on Smith: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said "it's unlikely" that the club will release backup quarterback Alex Smith, who might be on the Browns' radar if he's available.

"He's an excellent football player," Harbaugh said. "He's really playing the best football of his career the last two years. We've think we have the best quarterback situation in the National Football League. (We) feel strongly about that. Again, that will be a process that plays out, I mean Alex Smith continuing to be a 49er, or if a trade occurs in the next weeks or months, those are the two most likely possibilities."

Manuel intriguing: Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel, who can run the read-option if asked, is a big, athletic quarterback projected to go anywhere from the first round to the fourth round, where the Browns might have a crack at him.

"I definitely feel I'm the best quarterback in this class and I'm very confident in my abilities," Manuel said. "No disrespect to anybody else. That's just how I feel."

Manuel didn't run a lot of read-option at Florida State, but ran it enough to know he can do it if called upon.

"I don't think I have to be Colin Kaepernick. I don't think I have to be Russell Wilson," he said. "But I do see a lot of my abilities in those guys. When I saw those guys having success throughout the year, it gave me a lot more confidence heading into the draft, knowing that being a running threat is more accepted now."

Winters meets with Browns: Kent State's Brian Winters has spoken to Browns offensive line coach Mike Sullivan, and was expected to meet formally with the team on Friday night.

The Hudson native played tackle for the Flashes, but can see himself transitioning to guard in the NFL. He played guard in the Senior Bowl.

"I'm fine with whatever they want me to play," Winters said. "That's the good thing about me is I'm versatile. So I'm excited to have the opportunity."

The Browns are set at tackle with Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz, but might want to upgrade at guard.

The thought of potentially playing for the Browns excites Winters.

"Growing up, I've always been a Browns fan," he said. "My dad's a Browns fan. My step-mom is a big Steelers fan. My real mother is a really big Browns fan also. So we have a little rivalry going in the household. It's a cool experience."

Alabama slammer: Alabama guard Chance Warmack -- expected to among the top picks in the draft -- has blocked for some outstanding backs in helping the Crimson Tide win three national titles in the past four years. He definitely counts Browns rookie Trent Richardson among them.

"He's a very explosive back himself," Warmack said. "He's been exceptional since his freshman year at Alabama and he just continues to get better. He'll be in the Hall of Fame one day."

Warmack said he's not surprised to hear Richardson played most of the season with broken ribs.

"He's durable, man," Warmack said.

Played with broken ribs, after knee surgery: "He's durable, man."

That didn't surprise you: "Not at all. Everybody knows that."

Versatile D-linemen? One of the biggest questions surrounding the revamped defense is where Jabaal Sheard will play. Sheard had preferred to remain as a defensive end in the 4-3 alignment, but with the switch to a multi-front scheme the third-year player entered the off-season on an uncertain note.

Chudzinski believes Sheard can play outside linebacker or defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 front. The coach also said the Browns can play Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin and Billy Winn at different positions on the line.

Injury updates: Chudzinski said he wasn't sure when guard Jason Pinkston would be cleared to play again. Pinkston missed the final 10 games with a blood clot in his lung. The coach also wasn't certain linebacker Chris Gocong would be ready for the start of the club's off-season program on April 1. The veteran missed all last season with a torn Achilles. Chudzinski said last month he does expect Gocong to be healthy for the season opener.

Brownies: One benefit for a new coaching staff is gaining an extra minicamp before the draft. It allows the staff an opportunity to assess their returning veterans before making their draft decisions. . . . Browns tight end coach Jon Embree was the head coach at the University of Colorado last season. He's quite familiar with Buffaloes tight end Nick Kasa, a converted defensive end. Kasa said he's spoken to Embree several times since arriving at the combine. . . . Chudzinksi declined to speak about the future of the team's free agents, particularly kicker Phil Dawson and special teams ace Josh Cribbs. . . . Browns CEO Joe Banner will address the Browns media on Saturday.

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